Apple’s App Store is bad for consumers, AT&T CEO says

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson gave a keynote presentation at Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, during which he shared some interesting thoughts surrounding Apple’s iOS App Store. Stephenson expressed some distaste for the way Apple’s application ecosystem is set up at the moment, saying customers shouldn’t have to lose all of their apps if they switch to a device other than the iPhone. “You purchase an app for one operating system, and if you want it on another device or platform, you have to buy it again,” Stephenson said during his speech. “That’s not how our customers expect to experience this environment.” He went on to essentially call HTML5 the answer to the problem — more specifically, the carrier-run Wholesale Applications Community is the answer to the problem. WAC is a Web-based app store of sorts that houses Web apps theoretically compatible with any device that uses an HTML5-capable browser. The apps within will be limited in function for the time being, since only native apps can take advantage of all of the developer tools available for various platforms. That won’t stop carriers from pitching WAC, however, as they continue to search for ways to make money off of the booming economy apps have created. Each of the four major cellular carriers in the U.S. is a member of WAC, so expect to hear about it quite a bit moving forward.

Wow, they didn’t seem to care much when they had a monopoly on the iPhone. Typical AT&T, whiny little bitches. Bet they change their name back to Cingular now too.

Eric

For all that Apple did for AT&T, he should be worshipping Steve Jobs and the ground that he walks on.

Anonymous

Wow, before Verizon iPhone, ATT was on Apples Nutz! Not one bad comment from either camp about each other. Now the gloves are off I guess.

MadScientist

“You purchase an app for one operating system, and if you want it on another device or platform, you have to buy it again,” Stephenson said during his speech. “That’s not how our customers expect to experience this environment.”

It actually is the way customers currently expect to experience considering the software industry has followed this model for the past 30 years… And I understand AT&T got its feelings hurt due to the loss of exclusivity, but its unwarranted. They aren’t pissed at any other OEM’s for being on other networks…

Secondly – how does he expect developers to make money if customers don’t have to pay for new versions or to buy the app on a new platform?

Bone head idea if you ask me.

Karmats5

Did any of you actually read the article. It has nothing to do with the iPhone going to verizon. The carriers want some app money. They are making there own app store like environment. Verizon is also down with this plan. Re read the article then speak. You sound fucking stupid.

Scorp

So when I buy madden 11 on Xbox, they should just give me the PS3 version for free as well right? Throw in the PC version as well, right? It’s called switching costs. Every customer knows when they change platforms they risk having to pay extra money to make themselves hole. This is just AT&Ts way of trying to get a piece of the pie for applications.

BlakeG

Carriers have sold simple applications like games directly to users for a long time, but it’s a small business compared to Apple Inc.’s App Store and copycats like Google’s Android Market.

Anonymous

This is a critique of the Android market as well. Application that you purchase there do not work on other platforms either.

Basically, this guy is completely out of touch with reality.

Joe52985

It’s not about losing exclusivity. It’s about losing control. Back in the day, if you wanted a background picture, you bought it from your carrier, ringtone? Carrier. Game? Carrier. Now they are little more than your local phone company. The only time you think about them is when you drop a call or pay your outrageous bill. Google and apple and to a less extent rim now have control over most of the functions of your phone, sales are funneled through them, ect. Carriers are doing all they can to funnel this business back to them. You think that sprint includes blockbuster app or sprint tv because they think it’s of use to the user? It’s revenue to them. The almighty arpu controls all they do. Nothing more.

Tinky_30

He that controls the apps controls the world! LOL

Scott

So it’s ok for me to download the torrents of any movie I already own on VHS or DVD formats?

http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

this guy looks like the stereotypical white cracker nerd. definitely still a virgin. definitely has a nasally voice. much like that of ray romano. only this douchebag aint funny at all. he’s sad. a disgrace to men everywhere. not only is he a nerd, he’s a scrawny nerd. I can picture him whipping out his calculator and solving some equations for fun every night. oh and AT&T sucks wang, guy. get over it.

guest

at&t works better in some places than they do in others. EVERY carrier has that problem. there are some places here (MD) where vzw works great and other places where they don’t work at all & everyone has at&t or us cellular. no matter how good your “map” is, there are places where they don’t cover.